BRENT ROWAN
BRENT ROWAN
Music Director and Conductor
Brent Rowan is the founding director of both the Guelph Youth Jazz Ensemble and the New Horizons Band for Guelph. Brent has taught in the Community Music Program at Wilfrid Laurier University and jazz saxophone and the jazz ensemble at the University of Guelph. He is also a clinician and adjudicator at music camps and festivals throughout southern Ontario, specializing in saxophone and improvisation concepts.
He is a professional community musician. As a saxophonist, Brent performs in a wide variety of musical collaborations; including 2009 and 2015 Juno Nominated Eccodek, Big Bands, smaller jazz combos, and creative music ensembles. Brent has performed and recorded all across Canada, the UK and Germany, at music festivals in Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto and London England to name a few. He has released three recordings of his own compositions; “It’s About Time” in 2006, “IZ” in 2012 and “Where is Local” in 2016. Brent composes and arranges music for many of the groups he directs.
Brent holds a Master of Arts in Critical Studies in Improvisation, from the University of Guelph 2021, a Master of Arts in Community Music, from Wilfrid Laurier University 2015, a Bachelor of Music in Jazz Performance from Humber College 2005 and a Bachelor of Mathematics from the University of Waterloo 1996. Brent is currently a PHD candidate in Critical Studies in Improvisation at the University of Guelph.
JENNIFER RODRIGUES
Conductor - Woodwind Ensemble / Woodwind Mentor
Jennifer Rodrigues holds a Masters Degree in Flute Performance and Literature from The University of Western Ontario and an Honours Bachelor of Music in Performance from Wilfrid Laurier University.
She has performed with Stratford Symphony and the KW Chamber Orchestra and a variety of pit orchestras including Drayton Entertainment, Stratford Festival, K-W Musical Productions, and Royal City Musical Productions. Her conducting credits include Musical Director of Les Miserables, 42nd Street, and Performing Arts Summer School productions with WCDSB and Singin’ in the Rain, Joseph, Fiddler on the Roof, The Wizard of Oz (RCMPI), Into the Woods (KWMP) . She is one of the founding members of the New Berlin Chamber Ensemble, a woodwind quartet which has toured in Ontario, Alberta and Saskatchewan and appeared on TVO’s Studio 2 and CBC Radio.
Jennifer was an educator with WCDSB for 31 years, working extensively with Secondary Band programs and as Arts Consultant for the Board. She has been a clinician for OMEA and developed curriculum for the province.
ETHAN BURNSIDE
Conductor - Green Band
Ethan Burnside is thrilled to be continuing his role as conductor of the Green Band! As trumpet player for over a decade, Ethan has performed in youth orchestras and countless jazz ensembles, bringing a wide range of musical experience to the podium. His journey began with a Distinction in Music in high school and continued at the University of Guelph, where he specialized in theory and ethnomusicology. In his graduating year, he was awarded the Friends of Music Prize for achieving the highest academic standing in his program.
When he’s not conducting, Ethan is passionate about sharing his love of music, helping musicians grow in both skill and confidence. He’s especially looking forward to making music with the Green Band full time and supporting the Red Band as a mentor.
MARTIN LACOSTE
Conductor - Brass Ensemble
Martin Lacoste graduated from Wilfrid Laurier University with an Honours Bachelor of Music Degree. He then earned his Bachelor of Education from the University of Western Ontario. As a musician, Martin has performed in many ensembles on trumpet, piano, or vocals. He has also been fortunate to have directed numerous concert bands, jazz bands, orchestras and pit bands, as well as several choirs and musicals